We had way too many books to chose from this year. I recommended two and one was selected (Tortilla Curtain). We ate first and then sat down for the task of pitching and voting for books.
Here is our list for Sept. through May, with December off:
Sometimes a Great Notion - Ken Kesey
The Last Chinese Chef - Nicole Mones
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Loving Frank - Nancy Horan
The Tortilla Curtain - T.C. Boyle
Away - Amy Bloom
People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks
The Power of One - Bryce Courtney
Fourteen out of sixteen of us were present at this important and fun event.
Maxine's husband, Duane, traditionally grills the brats for us every year.
Peggy blanched the COSTCO sugar snap peas for one minute. That is what gave them the shine and slight tenderness. We dipped them into a mayo, and wasabi mix, that might have had some soy sauce. I made it the next night and it was great.
Peggy's recipe:SUGAR SNAPS with WASABI-MAYONNAISE DIP
2 LBS. SUGAR SNAP PEAS (I TRY TO BUY THE ONES THAT ARE STRINGLESS)
BLANCH THE PEA PODS 3 BATCHES IN BOILING SALTED WATER FOR 1 TO 1 1/2 MINUTE.
REMOVE WITH A SPIDER OR SLOTTED SPOON
CHILL IN A LARGE BOWL WITH ICE AND WATER
WHEN COLD, DRY ON A TOWEL
IN THE MEANTIME, WHISK TOGETHER THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS:
1 CUP MAYONNAISE
4 TEASPOONS SOY SAUCE
1 1/2 TEASPOONS SUGAR
2 TEASPOONS LEMON JUICE
2 TEASPOONS WASABI PASTE
ALL CAN BE DONE THE DAY BEFORE SERVING.
This recipe was more than 14 women could eat.
Wasabi paste, an Asian type horseradish, can be found the the Asian section of your supermarket. It is often in a small, thin tube in a box. It can be found as a powder you add water to make the paste.
Red cabbage, apple and I think I found some dried cranberries or cherries.
Orzo salad
I made the same shrimp salad I had at my last Bunco. The recipe is listed at that entry.
Red and orange beets with edamame in this tossed salad.
Strawberry cobbler.
Did someone say CHOCOLATE? Terry made the cheese cake. Everyone tried a slice.
